According to my
earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but
that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be
magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to
die is gain.
Commentary
How is Christ magnified in a believer's body, by
life or death? By life Christ is
magnified, when a believing mother bears children. Giving physical life to a child, by faith the
True Church grows when she brings her child to baptism. Likewise Christ is magnified when a wife is
barren, for she in faith trusts God's will knowing this light affliction works
a far greater weight of glory. The name
of Christ is also magnified when a husband uses His body to work hard and
provide for wife and child, trusting God will make ends meet for so "He
gives His beloved sleep." By our
death Christ is also magnified, for we by His strength go down to our grave
confessing the name which will raise us up again on the Last Day. In the joy of our redemption it is certain
every day on earth we can live to God's glory, by faith in Christ Jesus. It is He who upholds us and not we ourselves,
for "they that wait upon the LORD shall
renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they
shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain."
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